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Vucinic is Montenegro hero

Ten-man Montenegro maintained their two-point lead at the top of Group H after Mirko Vucinic's goal was enough to win at Moldova.

Last Updated: 22/03/13 10:01pm

Mirko Vucinic: Scored a vital winner

Ten-man Montenegro maintained their two-point lead at the top of Group H after Mirko Vucinic's goal was enough to win at Moldova.

After a poor first half from Montenegro, Milorad Pekovic saw red early in the second half, but Moldova could not hold out.

Montenegro, looking to solidify their place at the top ahead of their clash with England on Tuesday, began strongly and after just 12 minutes Stevan Jovetic's drilled 20-yard effort had to be parried to safety by home stopper Serghei Pascenco

After 18 minutes the home side forced Mladen Bozovic into his first save of the game as he deflected Alexandru Dedov's shot.

Vucinic shot over for Montenegro after 26 minutes, while Moldovan Alexandru Gatcan also failed to find the target shortly after from distance.

Stefan Savic headed over five minutes before the break but a goal for the visitors would have been harsh on the hosts who were well on top in the opening 45 minutes.

After a disappointing opening 45 minutes, the visitors finally came to life at the start of the second half, with Pascenco blocking Vladimir Volkov's left-footed volley.

The visitors were now firmly in control and Pascenco made a terrific stop to push Vucinic's shot wide of the post after 55 minutes.